75 comments:

Gorgeous. I love the brightness and how airy it is. I love the comfy-looking chairs and how much light the room gets and arms on the chairs is so clutch! How beautiful; the room itself is an inspiration and an imagination boost.

OMG JOAN!!! I'm so dumb. I just passed a huge basket like the one on your table at my fav store yesterday. I have one of those little particle board round tables ya cover with a cloth like that. I am DEFINITELY going back to get that basket. I love that look! Thanks for waking me up this morning!! :)

I love your blog and your style! From your gorgeous antiques to the amazing way you accessorize, you inspire us all! What a beautiful room in which to get lost in a book! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us!

Hooray!! I just happened to be here and get to say L O V E first !! You always give me such hope that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel and I WILL get to do the pretty things someday. It's all perfection, as always.xox

I don't know how you do it! You amaze me with your charming way of putting things together! You're an inspiration on so many levels! I don't own any antiques but I do so enjoy seeing your collection. I just ordered an inexpensive pressed board table to put my new round burlap tablecloth on and I had just found an ivory overlay for it! Are you copying me??? LOL... :) Your room is charming and the light is perfect for reading. I'd be just sitting there staring around the room admiring all there is to see just as though I was reading a favorite magazine! You have an incredible wealth of deco objects! That large flat table basket is the best! Once again Kudos!! Liz

I love the room too. I especially appreciate that gorgeous lampshade on the floor lamp--wherever did you get it? I love the coral on the dresser too, being a beachy sort of girl myself. Robin @Highpointcircle.blogspot.com

I just love this room so much! I am studying and studying the way that you tablescape and the way you styled that glass bookcase! I am totally obsessed with that gorgeous statue! Tell us about it! Gorgeous!

JOAN!!! From the moment you showed the snapshot of the french chair with the crocodile leather back, I've anxiously awaited your post on the reading room, and I have to tell you --- I LOVE IT!!!! Why were you holding out on mE??? It's so gorgeous, and far more "collected" than I imagined. It's just like we were talking the other day, you have a room full of beautiful people with amazing backgrounds, filled with great stories from an exciting past ... the best of both worlds! I know you're going to go through these pictures and tell us more, but would you please let me know if you had that table custom sized for the tray, where you got the tray (I think it'd be great for the ottoman if I can't find a copper or brass one), and the story behind the lantern turned candle holder on the chippendale bankers chair.You are so talented Joan, this room is such a statement to your editorial eye, and how skilled you are on making the PERFECT pairings. We should call you the Interiors Matchmaker! xo,A

Oh, I'm so happy to see another room. It is so beautiful and you have such a gift to put things together. I'm not kidding, I think about your house many times during the day. I would love to just have one room that looked as beautiful as you make them. If I lived closer, you would find me knocking on your door to see this in person and to meet you. Wenda Scott, maggieandme52@yahoo.com

I agree with all the others... you are such an inspiration, and everything is just so pretty - from the room itself to your photography! And thank you for sharing products and sources!!! I've been searching and searching for good paint colors, and seeing the "Ashwood" on your walls really helps.

You have some beautiful pieces of furniture. I love the chest of drawers and glass-fronted cabinet; I have an antique green glass wine jug similar to yours. And the built-in cupboard in the corner is sweet! What a cozy room.Claudia

Joan, Dan, and Ella: I enjoy how you post without words, so that we can thoroughly take in the room. There are so many items that I noticed and love. Can't wait for the follow up post; until then, I will be viewing these pictures several more times! Cindy

Trust you, Joan, to provide the most delectible eye candy of the week! I love your cabinet of curiosities (!) and would love to hear the story of the painting of the old woman and the bust with the rosary. :) Just if you get the chance. Heidi @ Show Some Decor

Your room is Divine. It has a feeling that they things have been there for ever and each one could tell a story. I am not usually a person to like rooms void of color, but your seems to work for me. i am so glad you shared it with all of us. Richard at My Old Historic House. PS. Please drop by my blog this week for a free give away.

I have just recently found your blog through another one. I love your rooms, house, dog, etc.! Just my taste..oriental rugs, antiques, tasteful clutter, books, a little asian here and there..love it! I also love this study. It has all the right elements in it. I love a room that you can sit in to read or study and look up and see the things you've collected and love. So important to be in a zone of familiarity and comfort. Since I'm new here, I'm sure you've stated it before, but what might your paint color be in this room? Is the trim the same color? Thank you!!!!

So much impact in a room that looks much bigger than it probably is! Nothing looks like it doesn't belong...reminds me of a room in a family home filled with collected heirlooms from many generations. Just love it! Bravo!**Tami

Joan...each time I see another room in your house I say "this one's my favorite"...well I'm starting to realize that they're *all* my favorite...but this Reading Room really spoke to me, it's such a cozy and special place, every detail is so unique. The magnifying glass over the vintage pooch image is just too much...I'm over the moon with it! I know this room is where I'd spend a-lot-of-time, well, here and the pantry...one does have to stay nourished!So beautiful...xo J~

Your home is like a story book! Every room and object looks like a story waiting to be told. Your eye for placing and pairing objects is amazing. Thank you for SUCH wonderful, beautiful inspiration!!!! I adore the turtle shell and would love to hear about the basket on the table. You always amaze me! XO, Pinky

I LOVE IT! I have scrolled through several times, what a gift you have. I am envious. I recognize beautiful taste but do not have a natural eye for putting it together.. My favorites are the rug, Venus, the chair, I love it all. Where did you find my faves and how long did it take you to collect and put it together?

Your rooms never disappoint and before this post I thought your master bathroom was my favorite in your home...but this one is so lovely. It's comfortable and inviting. You really do the best decorating in blogland. Thank you for sharing with your readers.Karen

I drool every time I see your rooms. I was just telling my mother-in-law all about your house when I was out in Indiana and how it was the single most beautiful home I had ever been in. Also, I just remembered I need to e-mail you with my address.

Such perfection....warmth and style. I love everything about this room. I would love to sit in it to read, but I am afraid I would be distracted by looking around to take it all in. Your rooms never disappoint!

As usual, I enjoy both your wonderful images and the story behind them. I haven't had a chance to read blogs the past few weeks, but I always look forward to and read your blog, the first chance I get. Your reading room is fabulous, BUT Mavis is truly to die for. Honestly, such a fabulous find - a real gem! I cannot believe you found that charming door to fit your opening - old glass and all. The Italian glass cabinet is outstanding and with glass on the sides! Your displays are always beautiful and you truly have a gift not only for decorating but for writing as well. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful antiques and the interesting stories behind them.Patti

I'm a little late to the party on this beautiful transformation of yours. I'm on the verge of a big dream of leaving Houston and moving to Franklin, TN (just shared the dream on my blog)! My current French blue-grays may not feel quite right in the new environment, so I'd love to know what colors you used. I love the color in this lovely reading room. Would you mind sharing? Thanks and many blessings!

Love your home and renovation! Could you please share the paint colors of the room (The Reading Room - Aug 10, 2011)with the chair that has the animal print pillow, floor lamp, and tortoise shell hanging above? Also, what are the colors (paint and/or stain) on your stair tread, risers, and handrails/spindles? Thank you so much!!

I just love your style! As I reached this post of yours, I aggressively scrolled down looking for something....not knowing what it was. Ok, I wanted to your story behind each of your pieces. I am sure each piece has a history and is very much treasured!

Dear Joan,In your reading room on a chest you have a green glazed Chinese parrot. I have one of these too but I am unsure of its function. It was sold to me as a roof tile but there is a hole at the top of its head which I believe an incense stick could have been inserted. Do you know what these were used for? Laura Reinhart

Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive it and read it. joan

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"when every corner speaks of possibility I know that I am home." -unknown-

Twelve years ago I could not have even pointed out New Hampshire on a map, but here we are! Nine years ago, after living for 15 years in the beehive that is Dallas, Dan and I finally escaped and landed in a very small town in New Hampshire that doesn't even have a traffic light. Perfection! Our move was a huge risk, but it has paid off with dividends and we absolutely love it here. I think we are really Yankees at heart. If you've never been to New England I cannot describe it with adequate words, you really just have to experience it. It is like no other part of the country. Its beauty matches our beloved Colorado, Oregon, and Washington and its spirit (Live Free or Die) is reminiscent of Texas, and the people... well, we have found them to be most genuine. In essence... we feel as if we have arrived home!

the living room

the kitchen

the dining room

the reading room

the master bedroom

the master bath

the North guest room

the South guest room

the guest bath

the barn room

the summer barn room

the barn half bath

the barn mud room

With the eyes to see it and the hands to create it, we can recover the home that the soul desires.
-A. Lawlor-

to send a note, mail to...

fortheloveofahouse@comcast.net

my paint and stain colors:

It's a house with rooms that reflect a place, a feeling, a memory of the past.-unknown-

Simplicity-Making your life a creative work of art. A great piece of art is composed not just of what is in the final piece, but equally important, what is not. It is the discipline to discard what does not fit- to cut out what might have already cost days or even years of effort.